Protective barriers will be built in the vicinity of the town of Grindavík to protect it from a potential volcanic eruption. This was decided in a meeting of the cabinet of ministers yesterday, RÚV reports.

Work has already started on the barriers and the project will cost ISK 6 billion [$44 million, €40 million]. Minister of Justice Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir said yesterday that planning would continue today. “We will most likely take New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day off, but after that work on building the barriers will begin full force,” she said.

The barriers will be placed north of Grindavík, the town of 3,800 that was evacuated on November 10 due to seismic activity. Following the short-lived eruption at Sundhnúkagígar, just north of the town, residents were allowed to return home for Christmas. Mayor Fannar Jónasson has said that many obstacles remain before the inhabitants can feel safe and comfortable about moving back as crustal uplift and seismic activity continue in the area. A new eruption could begin soon, experts warn.